Kaiju of 2005: A Year In Review

[Enshohma]

Kaiju of 2005: A Year In Review

As a girlfriend-less madman with nothing better to do, I keep a list of giant monsters and similar characters with me, that has started since 1991 and still grows to this day. The main reason I keep this list is 1) I don't have to memorize all the info, 2) almost every website on the matter is too limited in their scope of monsters for my liking, and 3) I'm a girlfriend-less madman with nothing better to do.

Now this list has been no problem for me for giant monsters, especially those of the Japanese variety, has always been far or few in between. But then came mid 2004, when Godzilla grabbed his walker and with the strength of an aging 50 year old, celebrated his birthday best he could. The hoopla from this not only brought fourth the film "Godzilla: Final Wars" with 11 or so returning favorites and a new addition to the Ghidorah clan, that sexy Monster X, but a whole bunch of other monsters as well. Including the obscure and old, like a fairly unrelated mention of the 1987 commercial "Chevy Monster" in the Godzilla episode of "Animal Icons". And lets not forget the Sci-Fi Channel, who by then were releasing a giant something cable movie almost 2 times a month and they showed no signs of slowing down...which is both good and bad in my opinion...mostly bad.

Then 2005 came in and dropped the bomb on me.

"Megas XLR" got canceled, but not before going out with a bang and more animated monsters an episode with its second season. Like a fool, I stumbled upon the old school anime tribute by American animators who are obviously on some sort of illegal drug, "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce GO!” "Ultraman Nexus" was a serious attempt at a more adult oriented Ultraman show...which did miserably and got canned around episode 36 or so, leading to the birth of a new, more kid friendly show "Ultraman Max" that very same year. More amazingly was that Max had a good number of classic Ultraman kaiju appearing with new creations, sometimes in the same episode! Similarly, Toei's "Dekaranger" had its final half, after which they premiered the Harry Potter inspired sentai show "Magiranger" while Saban and Disney took "Dekaranger" and created its US incarnation "Power Rangers SPD". Sci-Fi Channel turned out more crap...yet I was the only person who enjoyed the nano-tech based monster storm cloud movie "Path of Destruction". Late night anime viewers in Japan got a risque spoof of Ultraman in the form of "Ultimate Girls", while US commercials and comedy shows had plenty of outrageous or questionable monsters themselves. Cowboy Gorillas and Abe Vigoda are some examples. DVD released many giant monster flicks, some from yesteryear, from "Godzilla Final Wars" to uncut "Gatchaman", to vintage "King Kong" and beyond. National Geographic and the Discovery Channel took a moment away from reality TV and offered monster filled specials like "Alien Planet" "Extraterrestrial" and "Before the Dinosaurs", though sadly the latter one was the only fact based program and thus educational. Hallmark Entertainment did another highly inaccurate adaptation of Jules Vern's "Mysterious Island" with monsters in it. But unlike the last three other Mysterious Island movies, they broke the record by having the most monsters of any of them! And artist Joe Devito with writers and contributors Brad Strickland and John Michlig gave a beautiful story set in the otherwise dangerous Skull Island, while giving Carl Denham's Giant Monster a truly worthy opponent in the form of the freak raptor Gaw in the book "Kong: King of Skull Island". But not to be out done, Peter Jackson upstaged their work with a new big screen "King Kong" remake, complete with brand new fictional descendants of dinosaurs. Even more brand new fictional animals in the book "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" and brought back 4 lost pit dwelling horrors back to animated life for the 1933 "King Kong" DVD. In addition, Peter Jackson openly admitted Godzilla sucked and that he would have nothing to do with Kong's Japanese adventures. Yet ironically it was his own Kong loving actions that not only brought "King Kong vs. Godzilla", "King Kong Escapes" and "The King Kong Show" available again on DVD, but also helped kick start old man Godzilla's career with the upcoming US/Japan production "Godzilla 3D" for 2006. Oh, and a bunch of people ripped-off the big monkey too...yes I'm looking at you "King of the Lost World"! That and a lot of other stuff happened as well.

Needles to say my list has been busy with updates this last year. The following are the entries done for 2005, but I’m glad to say this is not a complete listing of such, but should be enough to make the point and hopefully give you guys a treat. In other words, this is just for fun.

I’ll be posting this 2005 list in two parts, the first half in a rough alphabetical order. First off from A-to-Kinf, and the second half from King-to-Z. Hopefully I’ll do a third part and go in-depth on my more favorite beasts that showed up in 2005, but some of the confused questions I know people will no doubt have (Abe Vigoda?) will be a job all on its own. Enjoy and I’ll be back with part two later in the week.

Rough Alphabetical List of Giant Monsters and Similar or Related Characters of 2005:

Official Name / ‘Descriptive Name’ (Aliases) (Forms) – First Appearance, (EP = Episode), Country of Origin, Month/Day Date/Year

Abe Vigoda (giant size version) - "Kong Hype" skit from "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" US 12/15/2005

Abraham Lincoln - "Five Bells" by Trent Jamieson, "Daikaiju: Giant Monster Tales" book Australia 2005

Abutrex (Abutrailer & Abutrex modes) - "Dekaranger" EP 49 "Devil's Detective Base" Japan 1/30/2005

Alternate Universe Ender - "Megas XLR" EP 26 "Rearview Mirror, Mirror, part 2' US 1/15/2005

Alternate Universe Gloft Mechs (multiple) - "Megas XLR" EP 25 "Review Mirror, Mirror (part 1)" US 1/8/2005

Alternate Universe Jamie's Gorrath Mech - "Megas XLR" EP 25 "Review Mirror, Mirror (part 1)" US 1/8/2005

Alternate Universe Mechnanimous - "Megas XLR" EP 26 "Rearview Mirror, Mirror, part 2' US 1/15/2005

Alternate Universe R.E.C.R. - "Megas XLR" EP 26 "Rearview Mirror, Mirror, part 2' US 1/15/2005

Alternate Universe Super Ultra Dimensional Magno Extreme Robotoid Power Zorp - "Megas XLR" EP 26 "Rearview Mirror, Mirror, part 2' US 1/15/2005

Amoebic Sea - "Alien Planet" TV movie US 2005

Android Ultraman - Ultraman Festival live stage show Japan 2005

Ant - "Mysterious Island" TV US 2005

Arachnia - "Ultraman Nexus" EP 18 "Apocalypse" Japan 2005

Arachno-Claw (multiple) - "King Kong" US 2005

Aramis (original, resurrected & mummified) - "The Fallen Ones" US 2005

Arrowtongue (race) - "Alien Planet" TV movie US 2005

Asperdorus (Rough Back Warrior) (race) - "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" book US 2005

‘Attacking Gorilla' - "Gorilla Attack" Hot Wheels toy set US 2005

Avarusaurus (Greedy Lizard Ravager) (race) - "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" book US 2005

Bagdaras (mother & eggs) - "Ultraman Max" EP 8 "The Destruction of Dash!?" Japan 2005

Bear Cub - "Kong, King of Atlantis" DVD US 2005

Bear Mother (normal & mind controlled forms) - "Kong, King of Atlantis" DVD US 2005

Blue Sea Horse Monster - "Monster Smash" TV pilot US 2005

Brontosaurus (Brontosaurus Baxteri) (multiple) - "King Kong" US 2005

Brutornis (Heavy-Fowl) (race) - "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" book US 2005

Bugbuzun Blude (humanoid & giant) - "Ultraman Nexus: Episode EX" from the "Ultraman Nexus" DVD set 2005

Bugbuzun Grolar - "Ultraman Nexus: Episode EX" from the "Ultraman Nexus" DVD set Japan 2005

Burger King, the (giant size version) - "Kong-sized Triple Whopper" Burger King TV commercial US 2005

Calcarisaurus (Hungry Spur-Lizard) (race) - "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" book US 2005

Calibos - "Calibos" by Paul Finch, "Daikaiju: Giant Monster Tales" book Australia 2005

Captain America Mega Morph (1st & 2nd modes) - "Marvel Mega Morphs" toy figures US 2005

Carnictis (Vile Meat Weasel) (multiple) - "King Kong" US 2005

Carnivorous Skull Island Plant - "Kong Reborn" by Russell Blackford novel US 2005

Carver (Carocarptor Interfector; Flesh-Carver Assassin) (race) - "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" book US 2005

Cavern Dwelling Crab - "King Kong" US '31 Edited Out [this lost footage was recreated for the2005 DVD]

Cavern Dwelling Spider - "King Kong" US '31 Edited Out [this lost footage was recreated for the2005 DVD]

Celocimex (multiple) - "King Kong" US 2005

Chameleons ('mother' & 'child') - "Mysterious Island" TV US 2005

Chaos Kilieroid - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game Japan 2005 [mutant version of Kilieroid]

Chaos Waroga - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game Japan 2005 [mutant version of Waroga]

Chaosroid S - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game Japan 2005 [evil version of Ultraseven]

Chaosroid T - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game Japan 2005 [evil version of Ultraman Taro]

Chaosroid U - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game Japan 2005 [evil version of Ultraman]

Clouds - "Ultraman Max" EP 20 "The Drifting Monster" Japan 2005

Cobra - "Mysterious Island" TV US 2005

Cooked Lobster Claw - "Mysterious Island" TV US 2005 [this is all that's left & seen of the original Lobster]

Crocodile (2) - "The Brutal River" Thailand 2005

Crow (mother & 4 eggs) - "Mysterious Island" TV US 2005

Cthulu - "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!" EP 24 "Antauri's Masters" US 5/7/2005

CyberChrist - "In Final Battle" by Iain Triffitt, "Daikaiju: Giant Monster Tales" book Australia 2005

Dark Beast Blob (regular & giant) - "Magiranger" EP 2 "Bring Out Courage" Japan 2/20/2005

Dark Beast Cockatrice (regular & giant) - "Magiranger" EP 4 "King of the Demons" Japan 3/6/2005

Dark Beast Troll - "Magiranger" EP 1 "The Morning the Journey Begins" Japan 2/13/2005

Dark Beast Worm - "Magiranger" EP 3 "Ride the Magical Dragon" Japan 2/27/2005

Dark Mephisto Zwei (Hiroyuki Misawa / Zwei) - "Ultraman Nexus" EP 32 "Unknown Hand" Japan 2005

Dark One Worm, the (Skeleton King Worm) - "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!" EP 25 "I Chiro" US 5/15/2005

Deathrunners (multiple) - "Kong: King of Skull Island" by Joe Devito, Brad Strickland & John Michlig, novel US 2005

Destroyer - "Hulk: Ultimate Destruction" video game US 2005

Devil Hulk - "Hulk: Ultimate Destruction" video game US 2005

Diablosaurus (Red Devil Lizard) (race) - "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" book US 2005

Dragon of Natsunome - "Ultraman Max" EP 9 "The Dragon's Lover" Japan 2005

Dream World Aurora Six - "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!" EP 17 "In the Grip of Evil" US 2/25/2005

Dream World Skeleton King (regular / Alchemist & giant) - "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!" EP 17 "In the Grip of Evil" US 2/25/2005

'Computer Operator Giant' - "I Believe" EarthLink web service commercial US 2005 [other mythical beings were in this ad]

Ebireon - "Tederos: Robot Defense Squardron" toyline / web-comic Japan 2005

Eraga - "Ultraman Max" EP 17 "The Ice Beauty" Japan 2005

Eve (3 forms, multiple sizes) - "Ultraman Max" EP 15 "Miracle of the Third Planet" Japan 2005

Evil Coop's Robot '13' - "Megas XLR" EP 25 "Review Mirror, Mirror (part 1)" US 1/8/2005

Evil Earth Coalition Drones (multiple) - "Megas XLR" EP 25 "Review Mirror, Mirror (part 1)" US 1/8/2005

Evil Kiva Mech - "Megas XLR" EP 25 "Review Mirror, Mirror (part 1)" US 1/8/2005

EX Eleking - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game Japan 2005 [mutant version of Eleking]

EX Gomora - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game 2005 [mutant version of Gomora]

EX Red King - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game 2005 [mutant version of Red King]

EX Tyrant (3 forms) - "Ultraman Fighting Evolution: Rebirth" video game 2005 [mutant version of Tyrant]

Ferrucutus (Ferrucutus Cerastes; Horned Iron-Hide) - "King Kong" US 2005 [only 1 seen of an otherwise full race]

Flygula - "Ultraman Max" EP 23 "Young Again" Japan 2005

Flying Skewers (race) - "Alien Planet" TV movie US 2005

Foetodon (Foetadon; Stink-Tooth; Wetasaur) - "King Kong" US 2005 [only 2 seen of an otherwise full race]

Forest of Attacking Trees (multiple) - Acura MDX car commercial US 2005

Frogros - "Ultraman Nexus" EP 18 "Apocalypse" Japan 2005

Fungas (regular & giant) - "Magiranger" EP 7 "Into the Dream" Japan 3/27/2005

Galberos - "Ultraman Nexus" EP 35 "Revolt" Japan 2005

Gargantis - "Monsters Menace America" board game Avalon Hill US 2005

Gaw - "Kong: King of Skull Island" by Joe Devito, Brad Strickland & John Michlig, novel US 2005

Cowboy Gorillas (2 of em) - "Broke Back Kong" skit from "The Soup" EP? US 12/9/2005

Ghost Rider Mega Morph (1st & 2nd modes) - "Marvel Mega Morphs" toy figures US 2005

Giant Cuttlefish (2) - "Mysterious Island" TV US 2005

Giant Lizard - "King Kong" US '31 Edited Out [this lost footage was recreated for the2005 DVD]

Giant Salmon - Glad Seal Warp commercial US 2005

Giants of Tolomac 3 (multiple) - "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!" EP 15 "World of Giants" US 2/12/2005

Giant Turtle (giant & normal form) - "Justice League Unlimited" EP? "Chaos in the Earth's Core" 9/24/2005 [homage to Gamera]

Gillfas - "Ultraman Max" EP 19 "The One That Came Through the Door" Japan 2005

Grovebacks (race) - "Alien Planet" TV movie US 2005

Guidolon - "The Tragical History of Guidolon, the Giant Space Chicken" by Frank Wu, "Daikaiju: Giant Monster Tales" book Australia 2005

Gularigon - "Ultraman Max" EP 1 "The Birth of Ultraman Max" Japan 7/2/2005

Gullmark - "Ultimate Girls" EP 1 "Ultimate Operation #1" Japan 1/9/2005

Gyven - "Megas XLR" EP 13 "Coop D'Etat" US 4/26/2005

Harold Holt - "Five Bells" by Trent Jamieson, "Daikaiju: Giant Monster Tales" book Australia 2005

Harpy-Griffin Guardian - "Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!" EP 24 "Antauri's Masters" US 5/7/2005

Heiren - "Ultraman Max" EP 12 "Pursuit at Supersonic Speed" Japan 2005

Hell's Beast Mimic (regular, taxi & giant) - "Magiranger" EP 5 "The Way of Love" 3/13/2005

Hippo of the Zippo - "Elephant's Egg" short film US 2005

House Cat - Remax Realty TV commercial US 2005

Housewife Devouring Snake - "Desperater Housewives" bit from "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" US 2/22/2005

Hulk Mega Morph (1st & 2nd modes) - "Marvel Mega Morphs" toy figures US 2005

Inox (Gluttonous Swamp-Dweller) (race) - "The World of Kong: a Natural History of Skull Island" book US 2005

Iron Effigy, the (platform & multiple 'pilots') - "The Fallen Ones" US 2005

Kesam (regular & giant forms) - "Ultraman Max" EP 7 "The Star Destroyer" Japan 2005

TO BE CONTINUED

[MouthForWar]

More Peter Jackson misquotes...

He has a homage to KKvsG in Kong 05 with a Pacific Pharmacy billboard.

He just said Godzilla is more "monster" and the movies had low production values (which is true) and he likes Kong because he's a thinking monster (which is also true, he's a big gorilla).

[Enshohma]

[MouthForWar]